This Japan Holidays culinary tour visits famous locations including the ancient imperial capital of Kyoto, as well as hidden rural villages and the unique culture of Awaji Island in the fabled Inland Sea, where culinary traditions have been handed down from generation to generation.

Foraging for wild ingredients, harvesting the bounty of the land, cooking with members of local communities, this tour experience is the most intimate way to uncover Japan’s history and culture – through food!

Japanese cuisine’s unique qualities are the product of a long tradition of respect for the harvest of ingredients, and for nature itself.

Food culture in Japan is also closely related to festivals and rituals, and reflects the way of life in each particular region. Travelling from mountain villages to fishing ports, staying in rural thatched-roof houses and in the cities, you will taste the local sake, experience the food and the culture, and share unforgettable moments with people you’ll meet on your journey.

The Japan Holidays adventure starts in Tokyo and takes in the local food market in Kanazawa, followed by hunting wild plants with local villagers in Gokayama. We then travel to Shirakawa-go, a World Heritage Site, and Takayama, where a local community will hosts us in an old Kominca house. Here we learn Okudo-san (earth oven) cooking and visit a local sake brewery. In Asuka, capital of Japan before Kyoto and Nara, we visit a local family of organic farmers for an “outdoor kitchen” experience, using locally-produced vegetables. We visit a fishing port on Awaji Island before heading to the imperial capital of Kyoto to enjoy a Kaiseki dinner in the exclusive setting of a wonderful property not typically open to the public.

The Kaiseki dinner is prepared and explained by chef Taro Katayama who has over thirty years of experience.

About Japan Holidays

From short trips to Tokyo to packaged ski holidays to specialised small group tours, give us your dreams and Japan Holidays will turn them into reality.

Japan Holidays will give you first-hand experience and can tell you secrets about Japan that you won't find on any other website. Japan Holidays's sole function is to serve your best interests and provide you with maximum choice.